BS in Information Technologies - IT Management

Become a Leader with an Online IT Management Degree

Enhance your bachelor's in information technology degree with a concentration in IT management. Information technology managers, or IT project managers, plan, coordinate and direct computer-related activities in an organization. They help determine the information technology goals of an organization and are responsible for implementing computer systems to meet those goals.

What You'll Learn

In this concentration, you'll learn how to manage infrastructure and technical service within an enterprise. You'll dive into such topics as IT service management, infrastructure management, management science and information technology teams and group dynamics.

Where You Can Go

Employment of computer and information systems managers is projected to grow 15 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. Demand for computer and information systems managers will increase as firms continue to expand their use of wireless and mobile networks. Salaries reflect the rise in demand – the median annual wage for computer and information systems managers was $120,950 in May 2012. The information technology management degree coursework will prepare you to work in a variety of positions, including:

IT director

IT security manager

IT manager

Chief information officer

Chief technology officer

BS in Information Technologies — Online IT Management Degree

Required Core Courses

This course examines the role of economic systems in allocating scarce resources to satisfy the needs and wants of individual members of a society. After a brief exposure to alternative economic systems, the focus becomes the nature and performance of American capitalism. Primary emphasis is placed upon the development of models that explain the behavior of consumers, producers and resource suppliers in various market structures.

Prerequisites:

MAT-130, 140, 210, 240 or MAT-106 & MAT-206

IT-100: Introduction to Information Technology

This is the fundamental computer fluency course required for all Southern New Hampshire University students. It is designed to promote a working knowledge and understanding of computer information technology concepts, skills and capabilities that support academic and professionally related goals and requirements. Students learn about the application and science of information technology. Concepts to master include the fundamentals of computer information technologies along with issues that affect people today such as : Internet and other network technologies, web publishing, digital media, hardware, software, file and database management, information security, viruses, and spyware, social impact, as well as algorithmic thinking and the limits of computation. Students develop capabilities such a managing complexity, assessing the quality of information, collaborating and communicating using IT, anticipating technological change and thinking abstractly and critically about IT. Students develop computer-related skills in support of their college studies and career goals. This is accomplished, in part, by the mastery of word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, and database software.

MAT-240: Applied Statistics

This is a fundamental course in the application of statistics. In this course, students will learn to apply statistical techniques to a variety of applications in business and the social sciences. Students will learn how to solve statistical problems by hand and through the use of computer software. Topics include probability distribution functions, sampling distributions, estimation, hypothesis testing and linear regression.

General Education Courses: 45 credits

Major Courses

IT-145: Foundation in Application Development

This course is an introduction to the design, implementation, and understanding of computer programs. The course emphasizes programming as a problem-solving technique in business and engineering applications. Students will write computer code in a logical, structured, and organized manner. The course also covers the key concepts of object orientation, including inheritance, encapsulation, polymorphism and communication with messages. Other topics include classes and objects, base classes and class hierarchies, abstract and concrete classes. Students will learn to write, review and document interactive applications and working with Software Development Kits and Integrated Development Environment tools. Offered every year. This is a programming course and lab intense. Prerequisite or Concurrent: IT 100

Prerequisites:

CIS-100 or IT-100

IT-200: Fundamentals of Information Technology

This course offers a broad introduction to the tools and applications students will need to become successful professionals in the IT environment. Students will examine the core information technologies of human-computer interaction, information management, programming, networking, web systems and technologies, as well as information assurance and security.

This course provides students with the necessary level of information technology education relative to understanding the uses and roles of information systems in business organizations. Students receive instruction on the information concepts and methodologies associated with the development of business information systems, and their effective application to the solution of business problems. Students learn the major issues of managing information technology in the contemporary business environment and the relationship between organizations' structures and information technology. Team approaches are utilized along with structured computer laboratories and cases using spreadsheet and database management tools. Writing intensive course.

IT-270: Web Site Design

This course serves as an introduction to creating interactive pages for the World Wide Web. Specifically, it will survey Internet concepts, network protocols and client-server communications. The course covers HTML, the language of the World Wide Web; the Document Object Model (DOM), essential to creating and manipulating elements of a Web page under program control; CSS, the syntax for building consistent styles and appearances across Web pages; and JavaScript, the programming language that cements the various technologies together to facilitate dynamic interactive elements. Offered every year.

IT-315: Object Oriented Analysis and Design

This course develops software systems engineering principles combining object-oriented design principles and methods augmented by computer assisted engineering (CASE) technology. The course involves use of the unified modeling language (UML) and, through the vehicle of a student group project, applies these elements to the system development life cycle. This course is writing intensive, as student project teams are required to submit a comprehensive project report and a PowerPoint presentation. Specialized Systems Development Computer Laboratory intensive and open laboratory intensive. Offered every year. Writing intensive course.

This course covers the design and implementation of information systems within a database management system environment. Students will demonstrate their mastery of the design process acquired in earlier courses by designing and constructing a physical system using database software to implement logical design. Topics include data models and modeling tools and techniques; approaches to structural and object design; models for databases (relational, hierarchical, networked and object-oriented designs) CASE tools, data dictionaries, repositories and warehouses, Windows/GUI coding and/or implementation, code and application generation, client-server planning, testing and installation, system conversion, end-user training and integration and post-implementation review. Offered every year.

Prerequisites:

IT-145

IT-331: Human Factors in Information Technology

This course addresses the importance of understanding and advocating for the end user in the development of IT applications and systems. Students will be exposed to Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) fundamentals including user and task analysis, human factors, ergonomics, accessibility standards, and cognitive psychology. Emphasis will be placed on user-centered methodologies in the development, evaluation, and deployment of IT applications and systems.

IT-340: Network and Telecommunication Management

This course provides an in-depth knowledge of data communications and networking theory, concepts and requirements relative to telecommunications and networking technologies, structures, hardware and software. Emphasis is on the concepts of communications theory and practices, terminology, and the analysis and design of networking applications. Management of telecommunications networks, cost-benefit analysis and evaluation of connectivity options are covered. Students can design, build and maintain a local area network (LAN). Offered as needed.

Prerequisites:

CIS-201 or IT-201 and CIS-200 or IT-210

IT-380: Cybersecurity and Information Assurance

This course explores the basic concepts in cybersecurity and information assurance. Topics include security policies, models, and mechanisms for secrecy, integrity, and availability of communications and information. The course also covers approaches to prevent, detect and recover from the loss of information, cryptography and its applications, vulnerability scanning, functions of a chief security officer software applications and web services for maintaining information security and security in computer networks and distributed systems.

Prerequisites:

UC take IT-201; COCE take IT-340

IT-385: Information Technology Communications

The course focuses on the essential oral and written communication tools and strategies used when communicating in technology organizations, emphasizing on how to make information more usable and accessible to multiple audiences. Students will review how to develop functional specifications and proposals, training programs, technical illustrations, and web information architecture.

IT-412: Cyberlaw and Ethics

This course stresses the social and professional context of IT and computing related to ethical codes of conduct. Students will examine the historical, social, professional, ethical, and legal aspects of computing in the 21st century.

IT-415: Advanced Information Systems Design

This is the first of a two-part capstone course for IT majors which covers the major methodologies used in Systems Analysis, Design, and Implementation. This course focuses mainly on the systems analysis part of the systems development process and emphasizes SDLC (Software Development Life Cycle). Different system development strategies are examined within the broader context of identifying and understanding the detailed stages the make up the systems analysis process. Students will learn how to a perform feasibility analysis, and to create a system proposal. Fact finding techniques used to determine system requirements will be identified and studied. Standard graphical modeling tools used in systems analysis will be covered: process modeling with data flow diagrams; data modeling with entity relationship diagrams; and object-oriented modeling using UML. The basic activities of project management are examined. Students will be assigned a systems development project case with concrete milestones, enabling the practical application of concepts presented in the course. This is a lab intensive course.

Prerequisites:

IT-201, IT-315, and IT-330 Senior prereg status

IT-420: Advanced Information Systems Implementation

This is the second part of the Capstone course for IT majors. The student groups will implement and document the systems project designed in IT 415 using an appropriate computer programming language or database management system. The instructor and students critique all projects weekly. Offered every year.

Prerequisites:

CIS-415 or IT-415

IT-489: Information Technology Portfolio Planning

This course represents the integration of previous coursework and practical experience with a focus on authentic demonstration of competencies outlined by the program. Students will present a portfolio containing a collection of performance-based artifacts combined with metacognitive reflection and a professional statement of purpose that reflects their ability to make globally, socially, and ethically responsible information technology and systems decisions that are in line with legal and organizational policy requirements. The course will be structured around this critical task so that students have the appropriate support and resources required to be successful. The course culminates in a finished digital portfolio designed to be accessible via the Internet.

Prerequisites:

Must have completed 111 credits.

MAT-140: Precalculus

This course emphasizes the algebra and concepts of functions. Students will learn the properties and graphing techniques for different types of functions including: linear, polynomial, rational, trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions. Students will also learn to solve a variety of real world problems that rely on a number of different problem solving strategies and an understanding of these different types of functions. This course is intended for those students who wish to prepare for Calculus.

OL-125: Human Relations in Administration

The human relations skills that managers need to develop interaction skills that contribute directly to effective human resource management and the development of higher productivity are studied. Skill areas include leadership, motivation, communications, group dynamics, organizational development, management by objectives, and stress and time management. Students learn techniques for becoming more effective managers, subordinates, peers and persons. Students are introduced to the international aspects of human relations.

OL-328: Leadership

This course examines leadership as an inter-personal and intra-organizational phenomenon with an emphasis on student leadership development. It includes leadership assessment, leadership development, the leadership process, the contagious nature of leadership, leadership and productivity, motivation, and effective leadership styles and theories. An international perspective is included. Current readings, research, simulations and exercises are used. Offered every year. Team intensive course.

Prerequisites:

ADB-125 or OL-125

Information Technology Management Concentration Courses

IT-252: Information Technology Teams and Group Dynamics

This course focuses on group functioning and leadership and the factors involved in group cohesion and conflict, and communication systems with a focus on the IT enterprise.

IT-261: IT Service Management

The purpose of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the management of information technology, including the relationships of parties involved, the tools for IT process improvement, and best practices involved in the field. Students focus on the relationship among an IT organization, business customers, and users. They explore the customer's perspective of IT's contribution to the organization and they learn ways to communicate effectively with stakeholders. Students examine the relationships of IT service management to process improvement movements, for example, Six Sigma improvement methodology, total quality management (TQM), business process management (BPM), and Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) standards.

IT-332: Infrastructure Management

This course investigates the primary infrastructure components of modern information systems. In particular the course focuses on the main components of an information technology infrastructure: hardware systems; network; and storage structures. Students will recommend tools and technologies for managing IT infrastructures. Students will recommend solutions for enhancing information technology infrastructures to solve business problems resulting from process change or growth to an enterprise.

Prerequisites:

IT-340

QSO-320: Management Science through Spreadsheets

This course introduces the student to mathematical techniques that may be used to aid decision-making. Topics may include linear programming, PERT, CPM, network analysis and others. Offered once a year.